News Limited appoints director of people and culture

News Limited has appointed Janine Stewart, formerly of Perpetual, to director of people and culture.

The announcement:

The chief executive of News Limited, Kim Williams, today announced the appointment of Janine Stewart as the company’s director of people and culture.

Ms Stewart joins News Limited from Perpetual where she was group executive, people and culture. In her new role Ms Stewart will be responsible for devising and executing a new people strategy for the company and leading its cultural change program. All of the company’s divisional human resources management will report to her.

Ms Stewart starts in her new role on June 4 and will report to Mr Williams.

Mr Williams said; “News Limited has begun a top-to-bottom transformation of its business.

“One of our key aims is to be the employer of choice for the best and most ambitious media professionals in Australia. In order to do this we must manage and invest in our people, and carefully devise and implement a program of cultural change.

“I am thrilled that we have been able to recruit Janine who has extensive experience in leading people programs in large organisations and driving cultural change. She will be a valued member of my executive team and will help us create a new customer focused culture.”

Ms Stewart said; “I look forward to being part of New Limited’s executive leadership team through its transformation phase as well as building the culture and capabilities to meet future business needs.”

Ms Stewart began her career at Ansett Australia in 1995. She stayed with the company for six years, working in a number of strategy and business roles, the last of which was managing the cabin crew of Australia and Asia.

In 2002 she joined Qantas and worked in senior HR roles across the organisation, eventually becoming general manager of people and customer service with responsibility for 7000 cabin crew around the world.

In 2007 Ms Stewart was appointed general manager, people and culture of Perpetual’s private wealth division.

In 2008 she was promoted to her current role of group executive, people and culture. In this role she was recognised by the Financial Services Institute of Australia, who nominated her as a finalist in the Most Outstanding Woman in Financial Services Award in 2011.